Before the first note was played Thursday evening at the Lakewood Cultural Center, it was obvious that the featured group was no ordinary classical ensemble.

First off, there was its name. Instead of the stuffy “fill-in- the-blank” Trio, it had a pop- sounding appellation — Time for Three, or Tf3 for short.

Then there was its instrumental configuration. Not the usual violin, viola and cello but two violins (Zach De Pue and Nick Kendall) and double bass (Ranaan Meyer).

And finally, there were the stage lighting (totally tasteful) and the amplification — a supposed no-no in the acoustically pure classical world.

Of course, none of this was happenstance.

The fast-rising Tf3 has been breaking the rules and defying expectations since the three players began jamming together as students at the Curtis Institute of Music.

Once it began playing Thursday, the group’s exciting, convention-busting approach became even clearer, as it merged Katy Perry’s “Firework” with Igor Stravinsky’s “Firebird” and inserted a “Fiddler on the Roof” medley into a rollicking version of Johannes Brahms’ Hungarian Dance No. 5.

Tf3 essentially observed no stylistic boundaries, ranging from U2 and Bill Monroe to Johann Sebastian Bach and some of the group’s original tunes. Sometimes slow and sublime was the rule; other times it was rapid-fire and rowdy.

This was not an evening for classical purists. Instead, it was a concert for anyone who loves musical adventures and was willing to sit back and go wherever these super-talented musicians were willing to take them, categories be darned.

Sometimes such cross-genre derring-do can come off a little hokey and forced, but that was never the case here because Tf3 plays with such honesty, conviction and obvious musical joy.

Also in its favor were superbly integrated, exquisitely harmonized arrangements and a freewheeling style packed with improvisatory licks, rhythmic slaps and fiddling fireworks of every description. Put simply, it was loads of fun.

So enthused was the audience that at least 50 people stuck around for a half-hour afterward to buy signed CDs and meet the musicians — hardly an everyday occurrence at classical events.

The spunky little Lakewood Cultural Center deserves kudos for snaring Tf3 and making this concert happen.

Ben Platt, who more than three years ago spoke the words and sang the music of “Dear Evan Hansen” for the first time, going on to win the Tony Award in June for best actor in a musical, will leave the celebrated musical in the fall, the show’s producers announced Monday.